Emotional Adjustment in Couples During and After a Failed IVF Procedure: A Systematic Review

This review aims to access the emotional setbacks and changes faced by couple who start with the IVF treatment and face a negative outcome after the treatment. It systematically analyses the level of anxiety faced by the couple before, during and after the IVF treatment cycles. Studies show that unsuccessful treatment raised the couple’s anxiety level and the levels of negative emotions, which showed significant presence even after consecutive unsuccessful cycles. Further findings indicated that unsuccessful IVF couples reported more emotional distress relative to those whom treatment had worked and females in particular experienced more psychosocial stress as compared with males. Couples who had at least one child prior to IVF treatment experienced greater emotional distress at follow-up. These couples felt less supported by the IVF Unit staff and were less satisfied with the counseling they received. The results highlighted the importance of post-treatment counseling when treatment is unsuccessful.